Improvement in gates



- datiert giants ROBERT HENRY HUDGIN,

@anni dimite.

or FAIRFIELD, CANAD.

Letters Patent No. 111,124, dated January 24, 1871.

IMPROl/EN'IENAT IN GATES The Scheulereferred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To lwhom it mag/ concern tive.

This -invention relates to the construction and L hanging of a gate, so arranged. that it may be readily opened and closed without being obliged to alight `from the wagon or horse; that it will close by its own gravity; that its height from the giound may be easily changed, when desired; that will be economical in construction, simple easilyV deranged.

The invention consisis in a jointed rock-shaft or semi-rotating'bar, by means of which the gate may be opened from either side; in the peculiar devices for locking the gate, when closed; and in a new and peculiar arrangement of the various parts-Ito produce a gate which will operate as above set `forth, and which is more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing-'- Y A represents a gate, constructed of vertical plates, B, and horizontalboards, C, secured together in any convenient manner.

The boards O should extend the whole' length of the gate, while those marked C should be cnt ofi', as shown in the drawing, -so that a space may be loft between the verticalplates B.

Vithin this space is inserted and secured a verticall ratchet D, for the purposes hereinafter described.

E is a latch, by means of which the gate is locked when closed. I

It rests upon'the top edge of one of the horizontal boards of the fence, as shown, and is connected therewith by means of the radius bars F, one end of which is pivoted to said board, and thc other or opposite end to the rear end of thelatch.

G are suspension bars or arms, which are co'nncctcd together by the `bolt or pin d, which cngages with the ratchet-D; or the pin maybe so arranged as to be easily slipped out of place and pass through a series of holes in place of' engaging with the ratchet.

The gate is suspended to these arms upon the pin a, and is steadied in its position by the pin b passing through one of a series of holes 'through thc rear vertical plate B of the gate and above the suspension hars, as shown.

in operation, aud not The lower end ofthe gate, and at its rear end, is

provided with a fork or niuley hinge, H, which engages with the round or polygonal-shaped bar I, which is secured to the front-of the gate-post J.

K is a metallic plate, secured 'to the top of the.

post J, and protects the same from the action of water and sun.

To this plate, and at a point immediately over'the vertical center of the bar I, is pivoted, in any convenient manner, the suspension bars Gr, so that the. same will freely rotate.

L is a rock-shaft or' semi-rotating bar, provided with a joint, (l, at the center of its length, and im- 'mediately in line with the plane of the gate when closed.

The centerof this bar L rests upon the ends of the suspension arms, while the ends may be vsnpportc'd by any suitable means that will not interfere with its semi-rotation.

A link and pin, h, connects the center of this bar with the suspension bars.

M is a connecting-rod, extending from the center ef the bar L to the latch E, in such a manner, that, when -said bnr L is partially rotated, the latch will be withdrawn from its engagement with the post N, and allow the gate to open. O are suitable hooks `or latches, pivoted to any convenient point below thev bar L, and they are designed to hold the gate open, when required.

The gate being closed, the operator first gives a partial rotation ol' the bar L to the rear. This motion detaches the latch E, when, by pulling or pushing thc bar L, the gate is thrown open in either Adesired direction, the link and pin h, with that end of the suspension bars which project to the rear and over thc post J, 'orming'a compound lever` for the purpose, the fulcruin of which is the point where said suspension bars :1re pivoted to the plate on top of said post. t

After driving through tijd gate the latch-hook O,

which holds itopen during the passage, may be disengaged, when thc gate will instantly close;

\Vhencver it is desired to have the gate swing at a greaterelcvation from the ground the pin a should be engaged with the ratchet'l) at a 'lower point,

the pin b should be placed in acorrespondingly lower hole in the rear vertical plate, and the cnd of the connecting-rod secured at a corresponding point further from the rear end of the latch.

NVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. The rock-shaft L, provided with a joint, d, in

connection with the link andpinh, and suspension bars G, when constructed, arranged, and operating and steadied by the pin b, said suspension bars being substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

pivoted to the't-op of the post J, substantially as 2. The latch E, secured to the gate by the radius and for the purposes herein set forth.

, bars F, and operated by the connecting-rod M from ROBERT HENRY HU-DGIN.

the rockyshaft L, substantially as specified.

3. A gate, construoted'and operating as herein Witnesses: described, wherein the same is suspended vfrom sus- MJSTEWART, pension bars G by the ratchet D, or its equivalent, GEO. CLARK. 

